Winning the Battle, Part 5: Shoes – Slip Ons or Tie Ons?

In Proverbs 6, God describes seven sins He hates, starting at the top of the human body and moving down: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that kill, a conniving heart, feet that are quick to rush into evil, a false witness who pours out lies, and a man who stirs up discord.

Then in Ephesians 6:12-18, God provides a set of practical tools we can use to battle those seven sins. Gear includes the helmet of salvation, the sword of the Spirit, the shield of faith, the breastplate of righteousness, shoes fitted with readiness from peace, and the belt of truth.

Your feet do the walking in your daily journey. They require special shoes – shoes that are ready.

Shoes of Readiness

Image: Legiotricesima

The shoes referred to in Ephesians 6 – shoes fitted with readiness – were those worn by a Roman soldier. They were not today’s everyday flip flops or even the simple sandals of Bible times.

Instead, these thick-soled, leather half-boots were tied tightly around the foot, offering considerable protection, especially for long marches or rough terrain. Short nails studded to soles, much like today’s athletic cleats. The nails provided traction. Strong, well-made shoes readied the soldier for battle and allowed him to endure.

Shoes for Defensive and Offensive Battles

A good soldier knows the value of offensive and defensive preparation for battle. Christ-followers, too, prepare for and face a unique battle: we are to “turn from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it” (Psalm 34:14, NIV).

Haste can sabotage an operation. Rather than rush forward into trouble, we are to turn from it (a defensive move) – and then pursue peace with God, peace with others, and peace with ourselves (an offensive move).

Likewise, shoes of readiness work both defensively and offensively. Nails in your spiritual soles provide stability on any kind of spiritual terrain. When the enemy or the flesh attacks, you can turn away and avoid slipping or sliding. They prevent you from moving too fast in one direction. Solid spiritual footing operates on the offense, allowing you to move forward to pursue and impart peace.

Are Your Shoes Flimsy or Solid?

Good equipment is of little use unless you put it on.

That’s one reason “feet that are quick to rush to evil” (Proverbs 6:18, NIV) are so abhorrent to God. These feet slip quickly into flimsy shoes – lives that are lived without intentionality or out of habit. Rather than constraint governing your behavior, rushing feet are a default mode flowing easily to trouble. They rely on “internal muscle memory.” Hurry proceeds swiftly to harm. Insidious types of sin like anxiousness, worry, and gossip, which spread quickly, are the result of feet that are quick to rush.

In contrast, the shoes in God’s armor require deliberate effort to put on and tie. Yet once on, they are ready to use. These feet are prepared to turn away from a flesh default mode or enemy-induced lure. They are ready to impart peace to others.

When you have these shoes on your feet, you’re ready to move defensively away from your natural flesh bent and offensively towards Christ-like peace.

And you’re ready to go the distance God requires of you.